Sciatica
Sciatica is pain from an irritated sciatic nerve. It usually runs from the buttock down the back of one leg and can bring numbness, tingling or weakness. It is a symptom, and the cause is usually in the low back, so our Doctors of Physical Therapy in Franklin, Brentwood and Nashville work to find that cause and treat it.
Why the pain travels from your back to your leg
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. It starts in the low back, passes through the buttock and runs down each leg.
A pinched nerve in the lower back
When something irritates the nerve roots where they leave the spine, pain can show up far from the cause: in the buttock, thigh, calf or foot. That is how you can have shooting pain in your leg with a back that barely hurts.
Sciatic nerve pain is a symptom
The job is to work out what is irritating the nerve and treat that, not only the leg. Doctors call a nerve root problem in the low back lumbar radiculopathy.
Symptoms that point to sciatica
- Pain down my leg: pain on one side that runs from the buttock into the leg
- Numbness in the leg or foot, and tingling down the leg
- Weakness in the leg or foot
- Pain that is worse with sitting
Common causes of pain down the leg
Herniated disc
Disc material pressing on a nerve root is the most common source of nerve pain that runs down the leg.
Spinal stenosis
A narrowed canal can crowd the nerves and bring leg pain, numbness and heaviness when you stand or walk.
Piriformis syndrome
A tight muscle deep in the buttock can irritate the nerve where it passes beneath it, giving buttock pain that travels.
Spondylolisthesis
One vertebra slipping forward on the one below can narrow the space for a nerve.
How we figure out where your sciatica is coming from, and what recovery looks like
We start with your history and goals, then assess how your spine and hips move, your strength and control, and which positions and movements ease your leg symptoms. Your exercises are built around what the exam finds.
Recovery depends on the cause and how long it has been going on. Many cases settle without surgery as irritation calms and strength returns, and if we see signs that you need a physician or imaging, we tell you and coordinate with them.
How we treat sciatic nerve pain
Hands-on care
Manual therapy to the back, hips and buttock to ease stiff joints and guarded muscle.
Dry needling
Dry Needling can release a tight piriformis or deep buttock muscle that is aggravating the nerve.
Strength and core work
Progressive loading for the trunk, hips and legs, and a plan for sitting, lifting and walking until the leg settles.
Back pain without leg symptoms, and numbness that is not from your back
Back pain that stays in the back is covered on back pain. Pain in the hip itself, especially on the outside, has its own page on hip pain. Numbness or burning in both feet that does not come from the spine is a different problem; tell your physical therapist or doctor so it can be looked at properly.
See a doctor first, or go to the ER, if you have
- Weakness in your foot, such as foot drop, that is getting worse
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Numbness in the groin or inner thighs
You do not need a physician referral to start physical therapy at Elevate615: Tennessee allows direct access. If longer care later needs a physician involved, we coordinate with them.
Sciatica care in Franklin, Brentwood and Nashville
Elevate615 treats sciatica at our Franklin clinic in Cool Springs, and we also see patients at our Brentwood and Nashville clinics.
You do not need a physician referral to start physical therapy at Elevate615: Tennessee allows direct access. If longer care later needs a physician involved, we coordinate with them.
Meet the people who treat you on our team page.